Power Washing and Stripes - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

asmith10 · 06-29-2010, 09:58 AM

I know they tell us when we get our factory stripes put on not to power wash bc it will rip off the stripes, but is this really true? I would love to try and make washing it as touch less as possible, but I don't want to ruin my stripes. Also does this strip off the wax? I'm referring to those little do-it-yourself car washing stations that use a power washer. My plan was to go there and get a lot of the junk off with the power washer and then come back home and rewash it and dry it.

Adam's Polishes · 06-29-2010, 10:00 AM

Anythings possible if you use the incorrect approach/process.

If you use a wide degree tip, a lower PSI setting, keep the nozzle a good distance from the car, and don't purposely concentrate a hard stream directly at the edge of the vinyl you're fine.

Improper technique can peel paint off if you catch the edge of a stone chip, it would have no issue pulling the stripes off, but again... its all about the user, not the tool.

motorhead · 06-29-2010, 10:02 AM

Don't do it. I used to own a car wash, and people would always want me to fix their cars after they did something stupid like this. It will destroy your stripes if not the first time sooner or later.

06-29-2010, 09:58 AM	#1
asmith10 Drives: Camaro 2LT/RS IBM Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 314	Power Washing and Stripes I know they tell us when we get our factory stripes put on not to power wash bc it will rip off the stripes, but is this really true? I would love to try and make washing it as touch less as possible, but I don't want to ruin my stripes. Also does this strip off the wax? I'm referring to those little do-it-yourself car washing stations that use a power washer. My plan was to go there and get a lot of the junk off with the power washer and then come back home and rewash it and dry it.

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06-29-2010, 10:00 AM	#2
Adam's Polishes Drives: The shiny ones. Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In the detail shop! Posts: 5,979	Anythings possible if you use the incorrect approach/process. If you use a wide degree tip, a lower PSI setting, keep the nozzle a good distance from the car, and don't purposely concentrate a hard stream directly at the edge of the vinyl you're fine. Improper technique can peel paint off if you catch the edge of a stone chip, it would have no issue pulling the stripes off, but again... its all about the user, not the tool.

06-29-2010, 10:02 AM	#3
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,850	Don't do it. I used to own a car wash, and people would always want me to fix their cars after they did something stupid like this. It will destroy your stripes if not the first time sooner or later.